Solo travel can be an exhilarating and life-changing experience—and more and more travelers are discovering its allure. If you’re willing to forego company for introspection and independence, there’s no better time than now to set off on a solo journey. In fact, some destinations are best explored on your own.
Buckle up and choose your own adventure with these seven vacation ideas for aspiring solo travelers looking to set off on their own for the first time.
Bali
Some parts of Bali may be known as party central, but it’s also a great place for a singles’ vacation. The island is blessed with tranquil temples and remote hideaways that make it perfect for a traveller looking for a bit of solitude. Meditate amid the beauty of wild jungles and stunning beaches. There are plenty of inexpensive hostels and inns to choose from, especially in Ubud, where it’s less crowded.
Batanes
With thousands of islands in the Philippine archipelago, it can be challenging to pick one destination—so why not start at the very top? A group of islands in the northern edge of the Philippines, Batanes is on the bucket list of most Filipinos. It’s no surprise as the wild, rugged beauty of the province is postcard-worthy with cows grazing on verdant rolling hills and waves crashing on jagged cliffs.
Solo travellers will be happy to find plenty of affordable accommodations options as well as easy means of sightseeing by bicycle, motorbike, or tricycle. Plus, Batanes is arguably the safest place in the country with the crime rate as close as possible to zero.
Bantayan Island, Cebu
Cebu is one of the top destinations in the Philippines with a wide range of activities, from scuba diving and swimming with whale sharks to mountain climbing and food tripping. With plenty of budget-friendly hotels and accessible transportation, the province is one of the best places to travel solo.
Bantayan Island is especially ideal with its quiet white sand beach and untouched natural surroundings that are perfect for relaxation. Locals are known for being helpful and friendly, even by Filipino standards.
Iceland
The northern lights are a bucket list destination in Iceland, a rare and spectacular phenomenon that most travelers dream of seeing at least once. Besides the northern lights, Iceland is an awe-inspiring country for outdoor lovers with caves, volcanoes, glaciers, dive spots and wildlife. Iceland is also hailed as being one of the safest countries in the world—definitely a plus for solo travel.
Italy
While often hailed as a romantic destination, it’s easy enough to fall in love with Italy on your own. After all, the list of magnificent Italian attractions are endless, whether art, architecture, history, fashion, or food are more your thing. From charming seaside villages to opulent ancient cities, it’s easy to spend years getting lost in this beautiful country.
Italy is vibrant, easy to navigate, and with plenty of tourists around, relatively safe. It’s a mesmerising place to explore. On your own, you can take the time to get to know locals, learn the language, and discover the less-crowded corners of this European country.
Japan
One of the best places to travel alone in the world is Japan, a country with ancient tradition, pristine nature, mouthwatering cuisine, and futuristic cities. More than any other country, you’ll never run out of things to see in Japan, from exploring dazzling Tokyo to skiing in Niseko to roaming hundreds of Kyoto temples.
Even alone, travelling across Japan is extremely easy and simple with the country’s famously efficient public transport. It can be pricier than travelling with a friend, but Japan has plenty of world-class hostels and pod hotels as cheaper options for solo travelers. It’s also a country populated with uber-polite and helpful people, so it’s quite easy to feel safe.
New York
The city that never sleeps is the perfect vacation to go to for the solo traveler who loves a packed schedule and being surrounded by people. Even on a solo journey, you won’t feel alone in New York City with so many locals and travellers roaming the streets at any given time. From watching a Broadway show to exploring the Met to the endless options of galleries, dive bars, bookstores, and more, New York is simply irresistible.
A version of this story first appeared on KKday.
